COVID-19: General Information, Common Symptoms & Prevention Strategies

We are committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of our patients, their families, our staff, and the communities we serve.

To that end, we are asking our patients to contact us if you have an appointment scheduled with one of our providers and are experiencing any respiratory or other flu-like symptoms.

If you are currently ill but feel that you should be seen urgently by one of our providers, please contact our office to receive further instructions.

What is COVID-19:

COVID-19 is a novel Coronavirus that spreads easily from person to person and causes symptoms of respiratory or flu-like illness. You can get the virus from inhaling particles sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This will happen more easily if you are within six feet of an infected person. Coronavirus has been spreading globally and the United States is heavily affected.

Most people who are infected with Coronavirus will have only mild symptoms. However, some patients will develop severe symptoms including pneumonia leading to hospitalization. It appears that adults over age 60 and those with a weakened immune system or underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease are most at risk for pneumonia and hospitalization. Children may have minimal or milder symptoms, but a small subset may experience severe disease. Older children may also play a role in the spread of the virus to adults.

There is no specific treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 at this time.

Symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) may include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty Breathing.
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Body and Muscle Aches
• Nausea and Vomiting

 Prevention Strategies:

The CDC recommends the following:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean and disinfect all “high-touch” surfaces at your work and home. It is advised to clean counters, desks, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, keyboards, and tablets using a disinfectant cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Cover your hands entirely and rub the hand sanitizer in until it completely dries.
• Get a flu shot if you have not already done so. This protects you from possible influenza infection and may help prevent confusion with COVID-19 infection if you develop flu-like symptoms.
• Wear a face mask when in public, in any retail facility or doctor’s office, when you are in close proximity to others, and as ordered by your local and/or state government.
• Practice social distancing. This means keeping a distance of at least six (6) feet between you and other people at all times. This also means working from home when possible, avoiding public transportation, airports, group gatherings, public events, parties and other public spaces. It also means making difficult choices to stay home and temporarily cancel plans with friends and all those outside of our immediate families. This applies to ourselves as well as to our children.
• Self-quarantine for 14 days if you have traveled in a high-risk area, traveled by cruise ship or come in contact with someone with COVID-19. Pay attention to the level of transmission in any states you are considering traveling to.

For additional information and updates, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.CDC.gov.